A heartbreaking plane crash in Colorado has claimed the life of a young pilot and flight instructor.
Niles Tilenius, aged 22, was aboard a small aircraft that tragically went down near the Erie Municipal Airport runway around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 19.
He was the son of renowned CEOs Stephanie Schear Tilenius and Eric Tilenius, hailing from Hillsborough, California.
In a heartfelt obituary, his parents honored him, remembering his “heart of gold” and describing him as a “professional aviator, pilot, and flight instructor” who always managed to “see and bring out the positive in everyone he encountered.”
Beyond his aviation career, Tilenius was also known for his musical talents and entertainment skills. The family resided in a luxurious $7 million mansion in Hillsborough.
At the fatal moment, Tilenius was at the controls of the aircraft alongside a student, William Johnston, 21, who also perished in the accident.
Tilenius’ family said the crash likely occurred ‘as a result of fierce, sudden, unexpected wind shear overwhelming their small plane close to the runway.’
‘Niles had finally found his true calling, only to have it cruelly cut out from under him,’ the obituary stated.
Niles Tilenius, 22, (pictured with his mom, Stephanie) was one of two people on board the small plane as it crashed near the runway of Erie Municipal Airport about 3.30pm on Sunday, October 19. His family said the crash likely occurred ‘as a result of fierce, sudden, unexpected wind shear overwhelming their small plane close to the runway’
In addition to his career as a pilot, Niles was an entertainer and musician, his family said. The family lived in a sprawling $7million Hillsborough mansion
The 22-year-old (pictured with his dad) had recently been offered two jobs as a commercial aviation pilot and had accepted a role with GoJet Airlines
‘Fellow pilots, students, and aviation industry figures hailed Niles as a very intelligent, careful, thorough, skilled, and detail-oriented pilot who brought an infectious love for aviation to all around him.’
He had served as a flight instructor in Livermore, California, before moving to Odyssey Pilot Hours in Erie, Colorado.
His family said he had been accepted into the United Airlines’ Aviate program, which ‘gives young aviators a fast-track to a first officer job at United.
‘Niles also volunteered for charity flights with Angel Flight West. Niles always led with love and looked for ways to help others; his life was one filled with authenticity and empathy.’
The 22-year-old had recently been offered two jobs as a commercial aviation pilot and had accepted a role with GoJet Airlines.
‘He was to start at GoJet on November 18, 2025, less than a month from the time of his death,’ his family revealed, noting he was ‘tremendously excited to be starting that new chapter in his aviation career.
‘He was overjoyed and proud to have been able to follow his dreams in a tough hiring environment. He was truly doing what he loved.’
Outside of aviation, Tilenius had a passion for theatre and performance.
In addition to his love for aviation, his family said Niles was a performer and musician
At the time of the crash, Niles was piloting the plane along with a student, identified as 21-year-old William Johnston, who also died in the tragedy
His family said in his youth, ‘Niles was involved in musical theater at Pied Piper Players, sang in the Ragazzi Boys’ Chorus, and performed at piano recitals.
‘Niles kept his love for music and entertaining going in recent years by working for Main Stage Productions of Palo Alto, CA as a Master of Ceremonies, bringing his exuberant energy and joy to bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and corporate events.’
He also ‘served on the Board of the North Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation, helping to raise and distribute charity funds to aid the community.’
The Erie Police Department confirmed that both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the fatal crash.
Both victims were the only two people on board.
